Champions League preview: Inter vs Bayern Munich, Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Inter vs Bayern Munich
Inter won 2-1 in Bavaria to give themselves the advantage heading into this second leg. Can Bayern Munich hit back at San Siro? I’m not so sure. Inter are unbeaten at home this season in the Champions League, and have won nine of their 11 matches.
Having held Man City to a goalless draw and beaten Arsenal in the early stage of the competition, Inter may be canny enough to keep Bayern at bay on Wednesday night. Vincent Kompany’s side haven’t been convincing on their travels, losing to Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord so far in this campaign.
Harry Kane is fit for the Bundesliga side, and will hope to make up for failing to find the net against Inter in the previous meeting despite coming close.
The English striker is having another strong season for Munich, but some detractors have accused him of going missing in the biggest games. Will he step up here?
Perhaps, but it seems likely that Simone Inzaghi’s side will see off the visitors. Inter have only conceded three goals in the Champions League all season! Despite the visitors best efforts this could still be a low scoring affair, and under 2.5 goals is a 5/4 shot.
Real Madrid vs Arsenal
Real Madrid were humbled 3-0 at the Emirates in the first leg of this Champions League tie. The reigning champions haven’t been hugely convincing in this campaign, with defeats to Milan and Liverpool in the league phase.
Real also had to rely on a penalty shootout – and a contentious VAR decision in that shootout – to overcome local rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. So… are we writing Real off? Are we doing the very thing you must never do?
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, famously, are pretty good at winning the Champions League. A three-goal deficit is tough to turn around, but Aston Villa and Dortmund both scored thrice on Tuesday night in their CL encounters.
Those spirited efforts at comebacks weren’t enough for either side, of course. But Real may prove a more difficult opponent to eliminate.
I would hate to see Arsenal caught out at the Bernabeu, but it’s not out of the question. Real are 13/2 to go through, which could be worth a look, given the Spanish side’s remarkable history in this competition. They’ve won it 15 times, more than any other side – and lifted the trophy six times since 2014!
Maybe that history is turning my head unduly, however. In the here and now, Real haven’t been at their best. Arsenal have had a good, rather than great season too – but Champions League glory is really all the side have to left to play for.
Arsenal’s defence is pretty useful – they’ve conceded a total of five goals in this CL campaign – but these are the kind of nights when previously watertight back fours can spring a leak.
Whoever wins, I’d expect Real to at least give a better account of themselves than in the previous leg. That should mean goals; over 3.5 can be backed at 8/5.
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